A/N: Hi guys! This is my very first fanfic about Percy Jackson. I've been a fan since book one of PJO, but I never really thought of writing about it. But a plotbunny's been bothering me so here's the result... Hope you guys enjoy it, though it is not a very happy set-up.

My Lost Hero

The demigod stared blankly at the beach. Cold sea air could be felt blowing against her bare arms, but she couldn't feel it at all. If she glanced at herself, she'll see that her body was reacting to the cold, the hairs on her arms standing erect, but she wasn't paying any attention. She just couldn't feel a damn thing anymore...

A lone tear made its way down her cheeks, but she didn't move to wipe it away. She was aware of the tickling sensation, and she shuddered against her will but still, she gave no indication of noticing anything but that hollow feeling in her chest.

The waves crashed haphazardly on the coastline, sprinkling sprays of water on her. The weather was terrible, typhoons were brewing all over the world. The mortals would see it as a freak occurence in nature, but Annabeth knew better than that. Poseidon, the mighty and temperemental god of the seas, was mourning his loss, just like her. The thought tormented her more than she could ever say.

"Seaweed Brain..." the girl whispered, feeling her heart break at a million different places at once as memories crippled her on the sand at the mention of that name. Annabeth gave a choking sob, wishing the blessed numbness would return. The cold assaulted her, chilling her right to the very core of her being. Empty. That's the only word she could think of to describe herself when, at any another time in the past, she would've been indignant, furious even, if anybody called her that. Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena and counselor of the Athena cabin at Camp Half-Blood, was anything but empty. But that's exactly what she is now-a mere husk of what she used to be.

Until now, the painful truth still didn't make sense to Annabeth. It was like it was fragmented into a thousand unfamiliar words and jumbled to form a nonsensical sentence. The right words refused to connect in her mind even though the mere absence of a hand holding hers was enough proof that he really was gone. Percy Jackson was well and truly gone.

Annabeth remembered the time Percy went missing trying to give her time to escape Mount St. Helens after the telekhines found them. He was gone for weeks, and she almost followed him to the Underworld in worry. Looking back, Annabeth realized that was nothing compared to the gnawing finality clawing in her chest right now. To her, it was like she's never felt true pain before this. All the little things she suffered and endured for most of her life as a demigod dimmed in comparison to that stark ache in her chest that she couldn't relieve in any way.

"Just let it go, Wise Girl," she imagined Percy telling her. "You worry too much."

The dam broke and she cried until her eyes hurt and she can shed no more tears. Annabeth heard a heart-wrenching sound she didn't recognize. Then she belatedly realized it was her making that sound. Annabeth desperately willed herself to stop it. Logic told her that there was no use crying over spilt milk.

Percy had made his choice. He made the hard decision so he can save at least one of them. He willingly stayed behind in Tartarus to push the button for twelve minutes.

Annabeth was more than willing to stay until they found another way. It was her job to make the moves, to plan even further ahead. But he countered saying that the world needed saving again. "The prophecy needs seven demigods, Wise Girl," he smiled at her grimly. "There's Jason and Piper, Frank and Hazel, and Leo. Nico's still there, assuming he honors his promise." he rationalized, muttering something incoherent that oddly sounded like 'forgot to make him swear on the Styx'. "They need one other demigod, Annabeth," he continued. "I'd rather it was you."

"But-"

Percy hindered any more words from Annabeth by pressing his lips firmly on hers. She responded immediately, kissing him just as hungrily as he did. The kiss was made even more passionate by the fact that this was probably their last.

The sea god's son broke the kiss a little too soon. "If I go back there without you, I'd never finish the quest. You know my fatal flaw. I can't do it. But you...you can put aside your own emotions to be replaced by logic. It's an Athena thing."

Before Annabeth could think of a logical response, Bob the Titan interrupted them. "We need to go now."

It was a whirlwind of action from then on. Annabeth and Percy cut the chains holding doen the Doors of Death while Bob kept busy the two Titans guarding them by talking. Chaos fell on the little group as the monsters realized what was happening. Bob took on Krios while Percy taunted at Hyperion to get him away from the Doors. Annabeth slipped inside as according to plan.

Percy and Bob fought valiantly. They were both swamped with monsters all the while avoiding two Titans as well. Finally, Annabeth couldn't take it anymore and she tried to help. Noticing this with alarm in his sea green eyes, Percy called out to Bob. "Bob, cover me!"

He then rushed to the Doors and pushed Annabeth inside again. By this time, Annabeth didn't care for composure anymore. She cried for Percy to just come with her. If Bob didn't manage to push the button for twelve minutes, they'd cross that bridge when they get to it.

"No," Percy answered in a rush. "Your mom thinks I can't put a quest above ny loyalty, but I'll prove her wrong. You need to go to make sure we win. Hold the doors close." Without batting an eye, Percy jabbed a finger to the button.

The last thing Annabeth saw was her boyfriend with Riptide too far away from him, getting skewered by a monster's claws. She watched in horror as too much blood seeped into the front of his shirt and yet he kept a finger firmly on the button. He caught her eye and mouthed three words, "I love you."

With another choked back sob, Annabeth stood unevenly on the coast. Her very unpoisoned breath was a gift from the sea god's son. Remembering all the moments they had, especially the last, was like a dagger being twisted in her heart, but Annabeth swore that she will never forget, even if remembering meant never being rid of the aching in her chest. She'll always remember Perseus Jackson, the only demigod who had ever made her heart beat. She swore it on the River Styx.